Efficiency of some common treatments on infestation level with wax moths, colony strength and honey yield in Northeast Ethiopia: Participatory and comparative analysis

Abstract

Beekeeping is an integral part of livestock-based livelihood system in tropical and subtropical regions of Ethiopia. Despite its importance, the sub-sector is challenged by humble colony strength and honey yield due to pests including wax moths. To avert these challenges different treatments were suggested by researchers regardless of economic, social and technical efficiency analysis. This participatory study is thus intended to evaluate the efficiency of treatments on infestation level with wax moths, colony strength and honey yield in Northeast Ethiopia. Un-replicated on-farm experiment was conducted on six beekeepers comprising supplementary feeding, tobacco leaf smoking, the combination and control treatments. Economic, biological and preference data were collected periodically. Profitability was estimated in partial budget, while biological and preference data were analysed using ANOVA and weighted ranking matrix, respectively. Results revealed that tobacco smoking had the lowest infected combs (0.7 ± 0.2) followed by the combination, supplementary feeding and control groups in ascending order. Supplementary feeding provided highest mean honey yield Ademe Mihiretu ABOUT THE AUTHORS Ademe Mihiretu is a holder of MSc Degree in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension from Haramaya University, Ethiopia. He has vast experience in the fields of environment science and climate change, crop production, participatory research, socioeconomic issues, rural sociology, agricultural extension and economics. Currently, Ademe works for Sekota Dry-land Agricultural Research Center as a full time Researcher of Socioeconomic and Agricultural Extension. In his career, he has published significant number of research articles in recognized publishers around the world. Agazhe Tsegaye is a research fellow of Sekota Dry-land Agricultural Research Center, under apiculture research division. At this time, he is